Innovative Office Solutions is the proud sponsor of the Charity of the Month program in partnership with the Minnesota Wild. The program brings exposure to a different Minnesota Charity each month throughout the NHL season. The Minnesota Wild Charity of the Month for April 2015 is Simon Says Give.

SSG engages kids who want to be involved in helping others. Their volunteer kids have the opportunity to provide celebrations and gifts – some necessary, and some fun – to children that would otherwise not receive them. The volunteer kids have the opportunity to use their special skills and talents to create fundraising events from which they can manage, learn and grow.

Coming from a family of 13, Janet one of Innovative’s Account Executives is our featured Team Player for the month. Janet has a zest for life and a love for collaboration. The Team Player grew up on a farm playing baseball non-stop. She always enjoyed being apart of a team. “Things were always chaotic,” but she thrived in the craziness. Growing up in a large family allowed her to gain independence and be perceptive of all people.

At Innovative, she enjoys collaborating with all departments to complete tasks successfully and strives to satisfy all customers. “I want to be apart of something bigger than myself and I love being apart of a group.”

Janet carries her team spirit outside of the office and into the community by volunteering her time to support the Breath of Hope. She participates in a summer walk in August to help raise funds to beat lung cancer.

The Innovative team is full of talented and successful employees who strive to “Make Your Workplace More Productive.” Janet, along with many other Team Players join in this mission! Innovative Office Solutions

With March being the month of the Team Player – you know as well as we do that the Team Player has your back in the office. Whether it be refilling your company-branded water bottle, grabbing office visitors coffee, water, a healthy snack, or simply reminding you to drink enough throughout the day, the office Team Player understands the importance of hydration.

We all know how important it is to stay hydrated especially during the summer months. But do you really know the full benefits of water?

Benefits of Water

There are plenty of clear-cut benefits of water, but here we’re going to profile a few that stuck out to us. The following are a few simple benefits that you can expect to see after guzzling down your daily water consumption.

Helps Aid in Weightloss

First – plain water has ZERO calories, and no additives to boot. Sure, water is it is fairly boring when consumed by itself. If it is too boring fro your tastes, try adding lemon or mint. Not only will it ad flavor, but also the benefits of citric acid of the lemon and natural taste of the mint leaf. If you find yourself craving something specific during the day, it could be your bodies way of telling you it’s thirsty. So before you reach for that candy bar, refill your water bottle and see how you feel!

Can Help Prevent Different Forms of Cancer

You’ll feel better knowing this: Water can protect against certain types of cancer. Being that it aids in digestion and moving things along, it is great in preventing against things like bowel and colon cancers. Studies have shown that those who stay hydrated on a more regular basis are at a lower risk to these forms of cancer.

Water and Mood

According to Mens Health, a study conducted in France shows that increased water consumption lead to better moods. “Not only were people getting their thirst quenched, but also participants reported feeling less fatigued, less confused, and more satisfied overall with their mood at the end of the study.” And, on the flip-side, lowering water consumption lead to worse moods in those who normally drink large amounts of water.

Hydration Prevents Headaches

Dehydration is the loss of water and electrolytes, such as sodium, chloride and potassium, which are necessary for the body to function. When your body is lacking these essential nutrients, things can get wonky. If you find yourself suffering from frequent headaches due to low water consumption, drink more water! Drink 16 to 32 ounces and in an hour or two you should start to feel better.

Preventing Excessive Sweating

Cold water helps regulate your body temperature and, in turn, helps keep your sweat cells under control. So if you’re prone to excessive sweating, or are a gym rat, be sure to keep cold water handy. Not only will you be more comfortable, but you’ll be doing your body more good. Something less comfortable when it comes to ice water, but equally beneficial, are ice-cold showers. When you hop into a cold shower, your metabolism increases by up to 550% of its resting level, burning calories in the process.

So be sure to find the Team Player in your office! Chances are their encouraging team work, monitoring hydration in company exercise classes, and just being an overall asset to the office!

Our office persona for March 2015 is the Team Player – helping you stay productive and on track throughout the entire month! When it comes to keeping you less and less groggy during these first few weeks of daylight saving time, our Team Player is happy to provide you with all the necessary solutions you need to keep going!

Like most of us, you may be suffering from drowsiness and grogginess thanks to daylight saving time. But – you’re not alone.

The History of Daylight Saving Time History*

In 1918 “Fast time”, as Daylight Saving Time was once referred, was first introduced when President Woodrow Wilson signed it into law to support the World War I effort. Robert Garland, a Pittsburgh industrialist who is often referred to as the “father of Daylight Saving”, spearheaded the idea after having encountered the idea in the United Kingdom.

Having been repealed seven months later, some cities – including Pittsburgh, Boston, and New York – continued to use it until was instituted year-round by FDR in 1942.

Daylight Saving Time and Sleep**

Our biological clock is unhappy with the time change. During the days and weeks before the time change, most of us awake to sunlight, which is your internal wake-up alarm. Sunlight stimulates our biological clock and activates other brain regions involved with maintaining homeostasis and wakefulness. However, because of daylight saving time, our early morning hours are filled with darkness and we may have more of an urge to “sleep-in.” Less daylight in the morning hours can pause the biological clock’s wake-promoting drive, causing a jet-lag-like feeling – making mornings harder than they are normally.

Whatever your morning routine, these next couple weeks may be a bit more difficult because of the time change. But fear not – Innovative Office Solutions is happy to provide you any of the “go juice” needed to help you get up and happily greet the day! For the coffee lovers, we have k-cups and grounds galore. For the tea drinkers in the office, we’ve got all of the green tea you could ask for. And for those who prefer energy drinks, we’re stocked!

So we know the effect daylight saving time can have on our internal clock and our sleep schedule – but what about energy consumption? We’ve all heard the rumors that it was originally used for farming purposes, but are we really saving, well, anything with daylight saving time?

Staying Powered***

With residential electricity output heaviest at night, the idea of daylight saving time is to quell energy use. It makes sense in theory – wake up earlier, more daylight at the end of the work day and into the evening, equalling less energy used. But does it really save as much energy as we think? Some studies show there is little proof that daylight saving actually saves energy.

A study between two Australian states – Victoria and South Australia – showed that daylight saving did help reduce energy use in the evening. However, energy usage in the mornings increased – negating any energy saved the previous evening. So that begs the question – how much energy are we saving? Furthermore – should daylight saving continue?

It doesn’t seem like daylight saving time will cease any time soon. However, there are further steps you can take to help reduce your energy output, stay energized, and help get back on schedule during these first few weeks of daylight saving time.

Great Clips, Inc. provides world-class training to their franchisees and salon staff on an ongoing basisin 99 different cities across the U.S. and Canada.

Prior to working with Innovative, each Great Clips trainer was responsible for the production of their training materials through local sources as well as a couple of different vendors. Great Clips recently transferred responsibility of all training center copy needs to Innovative’s print on demand solution.

By choosing Innovative as Great Clips’ one source for all their training material needs, labor and material costs are better managed and material inconsistencies are mitigated. Great Clips’ Michelle Sack – VP, Learning and Development says, “With Great Clips relying on Innovative’s staff and copying capabilities, our training program has not only continued to succeed but we have been able to make the jobs of our 45 remote trainers more seamless with one stop ordering and shipping from one vendor. This means a better experience for our trainers, those they train and a significant impact on Great Clips’ bottom line.”

Before working with Innovative, the ordering and receiving of their materials were managed by multiple vendors which was cumbersome and costly. The shipping was sent by multiple shipments incurred for the same training sessions. The production took a vast amount of the trainers’ time. To update materials, Great Clips’ had to coordinate with 45 remote trainers and the quality and branding was inconsistent.

After working with Innovative, the ordering and receiving of materials it is now single sourced at a competitive price. All session materials are combined into one shipment. Trainers are able to place orders online and receive shipping information and materials on time. To update materials, one file is to Innovative saving the trainers time and all materials follow brand and quality standards.

With great efforts from Great Clips and Innovative a trusted partnership was created. At Innovative, we strive to make your workplace more productive!

Check out our website and let us be your single provider for all your office essentials. www.innovativeos.com

Innovative Office Solutions is the proud sponsor of the Charity of the Month program in partnership with the Minnesota Wild. The program brings exposure to a different Minnesota Charity each month throughout the NHL season. The Minnesota Wild Charity of the Month for March 2015 is A Chance To Grow.

A Chance To Grow offers multiple programs and services to children and families with a diversity of needs. Based on an understanding of brain development and stimulation, A Chance To Grow’s interventions all have the same goal: to help all those they serve achieve their highest possible potential.

A Chance To Grow offers nine integrated brain-centered programs and services all under one roof. Their holistic approach to developing individual programs for each client ensures a comprehensive experience at A Chance To Grow for children and families alike. Trained in the areas of speech pathology, occupational therapy, traditional and developmental vision interventions, auditory therapy, neurotechnology, elementary and early childhood education, their variety of specialists bring a tremendous amount of knowledge and care to every client’s experience. Each and every day, they are driven by an agency-wide passion for helping every person reach his or her highest possible potential.

For more information on A Chance To Grow, and to learn how you can help, visit their website.

A crucial component of stellar productivity is proper sleeping habits. In this second installment of our Productivity Series – we focus on Sleep.

Sleep is one of the most important, yet under appreciated, keys to productivity. By not focusing on this essential part of our daily lives – we are only doing further damage to our productivity – and health – as a whole.

According to the CDC, 35 percent of Americans report regularly getting less than the recommended amount 7-8 hours of sleep per night. Arianna Huffington, of The Huffington Post, preaches the importance of sleep herself. By not getting proper sleep, not only are you damaging your body for the long and short term, but your output at work as well.

Harvard suggests that “sleep deprivation was a significant factor in the 1979 nuclear accident at Three Mile Island, as well as the 1986 nuclear meltdown at Chernobyl.”

Accidents due to sleep deprivation can also be attributed to events on a less disastrous level. According to the Institutes of Medicine, “over one million injuries and between 50,000 and 100,000 deaths each year result from preventable medical errors, and many of these may be the result of insufficient sleep. Doctors, especially newly graduated interns, are often expected to work continuous shifts of 24 to 36 hours with little or no opportunity for sleep.” A decrease in productivity due to sleep-related issues not only effects an employee’s workload output, but can also cost companies thousands – even millions.

According to a study published in 2010, within the data taken from participants, $54 million – roughly $1,967 per employee within this study – could be expect to be lost annually. Estimated costs linked to productivity decreases ranged from $1,293 to $3,296

Like any employee or business owner you are now most likely thinking, “I wonder how much money we’re losing due to sleep deprivation?” Unfortunately, we don’t have an answer for you.

However, we do have a few ideas on how to encourage proper sleeping habits throughout your office – ultimately leading to increased productivity.

Increased Workplace Flexibility

Allowing more flexible start and end times may help contribute to positive lifestyle behaviors. Their are many benefits to a more flexible work schedule other than increased sleeping patterns and productivity, but those two are essential reasons to start incorporating a more flexible work schedule.

Workplace Education Programs

Educate employees on the importance of proper sleeping habits, and how they can improve life both at home – and at the office. Make it clear that occasional sleep loss and fatigue are expected, but teach employees on how to safely and effectively function while “running on empty”. Topics such as regular exercise, proper nutrition, and manageable workloads could all be covered in depth as they are a few important elements when looking to improve sleeping habits.

Getting more sleep is often times easier said than done. However, as long as you’re more conscious of how important proper sleeping habits are, the more likely you are to change your current habits. There are plenty of reasons to get into a better sleep routine – saving your employer thousands, increasing workplace safety, and keeping your sanity – that it is up to you to put the proper actions in place.

Casio is back at it again! In today’s day and age, the more efficient and energy-friendly we can be, the better. Antiquated projectors and *gasp* overhead projectors are a thing of the past. Their upkeep costs too much, bulbs and body wear down too quickly, and they are just a general eyesore. Their days may be numbered, however thanks to Casio’s newest projector technology, this technology device may be the solution you are looking for!

In July 2014, Casio introduced the world’s first Casio LampFree projector and they didn’t stop there, they capitalized on this fantastic product. Fresh to the market, the Casio LampFree® Projector EcoLite XJ-V1 model is here. The EcoLite projector is powered by laser and LED Hybrid Light Source technology similar the Casio LampFree® technology with essential technology features. But here’s the beauty of it all, they have brought this solution to the marketplace at a revolutionary price point feasible for all users!

Life expectancy of 20,000 hours (up to 15 years at 6 hours per day) of high performance

Quick power on and off function also reduces power usage

Eco-friendly and mercury free

Before this product is available for purchase in the next couple of months, we want to provide you with a sneak peak about this Eco-friendly projector. Contact our Account Support Coordinator Christina Boerigter for more information on the Casio LampFree® Projector EcoLite XJ-V1.

Innovative Office Solutions is the proud sponsor of the Charity of the Month program in partnership with the Minnesota Wild. The program brings exposure to a different Minnesota Charity each month throughout the NHL season. The Minnesota Wild Charity of the Month for February 2015 is GiGi’s Playhouse.

GiGi’s Playhouse is a one-of-a-kind achievement center for individuals with Down syndrome, their families, and the community. GiGi’s Playhouse offers more than 25 therapeutic and educational programs that advance literacy, math skills, motor skills and more; all of which are free of charge.

Programs are created by professional therapists and teachers who generously donate their time and expertise. All programs are based on best practices for Down syndrome learning styles, and customized to ensure individual success. GiGi’s Playhouse actually serves infants through adults. GiGi’s Playhouse is headquartered in Hoffman Estates, IL; with 15 locations throughout the United States and Mexico, with more opening soon.

GiGi’s Playhouse makes a difference every day. Our unique points of difference empower individuals and their parents to achieve their greatest potential with confidence, independence, and joy. They have a “place”; and they will never let location be a barrier to success. They have “programs”: they will never let curriculum be a boundary to achievement. Most importantly, programs are free. GiGi’s Playhouse will never let cost deter families from participation or impede the achievement of children and adults.

S&T Office Products and S&T Office Interiors Group have joined the Innovative Office Solutions family. This is an exciting time for the customers, employees and supplier partners of both organizations.

Innovative Office Solutions was born in 2001 out of a desire to bring a superior level of service, technology and personalization to local businesses. In the 14 years since, Innovative has expanded its offering to include a broad range of products and services to make workplaces more productive.

The next step in our story is the partnership with S&T Office Products and S&T Office Interiors Group. For over 40 years S&T has been a highly respected organization and we’re thrilled about the talent, experience and additional solutions they bring to the Innovative brand.

What does this mean for you? As we bring together the best of both organizations, you can expect:

More Solutions for the Modern Workplace

Customers of both organizations will benefit from an expanded offering of products, services and expertise. Additionally, customers of S&T will immediately benefit from new technology solutions as we integrate into the Innovative Office Solutions systems.

Local Strength

Both organizations come from a strong background of delivering flexible solutions to our customers through a model of customized local support. This will continue in earnest as the leading independent office productivity provider in Minnesota.

The Future is Bright

Our employees will have the opportunity to continue expanding their careers while developing new and exciting solutions for our clients.